al-anon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical (within recovery contexts), Neutral in general use.
Quick answer
What does “al-anon” mean?
A worldwide fellowship that offers support and a program of recovery for families and friends of alcoholics, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A worldwide fellowship that offers support and a program of recovery for families and friends of alcoholics, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
The organization itself, based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous, and the meetings where its support groups gather. Informally, it can refer to the program's principles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The organization's name and structure are international. Spelling and pronunciation follow the same standard.
Connotations
Carries the same connotations of peer support, recovery, and community in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally known and used in both regions due to the global presence of the fellowship.
Grammar
How to Use “al-anon” in a Sentence
[Someone] attends Al-Anon.[Someone] was referred to Al-Anon.Al-Anon provides [support/help] for [families].The principles of Al-Anon suggest that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “al-anon” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She finds the Al-Anon literature very insightful.
- He follows the Al-Anon approach to detachment.
American English
- She works the Al-Anon program diligently.
- They discussed Al-Anon concepts at the meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Might appear in psychology, social work, or public health texts discussing addiction and support systems.
Everyday
Used when discussing personal or family experiences with alcoholism and seeking support. 'My sister started going to Al-Anon.'
Technical
Standard term in counselling, therapy, and addiction recovery contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “al-anon”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “al-anon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “al-anon”
- Writing it as 'Alanon' or 'Al-Anon' without the hyphen (the official name uses the hyphen).
- Confusing it with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'an al-anon' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Al-Anon is for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else's drinking, including adult children, parents, siblings, friends, and coworkers.
No. While the program uses spiritual principles like a 'Higher Power,' this is defined by each individual and can be non-religious, such as the group itself or a personal sense of purpose.
Alateen is a part of the Al-Anon fellowship specifically designed for younger members, typically teenagers, who are affected by someone else's drinking.
Al-Anon meetings are self-supporting through voluntary contributions from members; there are no dues or fees for membership.
A worldwide fellowship that offers support and a program of recovery for families and friends of alcoholics, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
Al-anon is usually formal, technical (within recovery contexts), neutral in general use. in register.
Al-anon: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæl əˈnɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæl əˈnɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AL' for 'Alcoholics' and 'ANON' for 'Anonymous,' but for the families. It's the counterpart to AA.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS A FELLOWSHIP; RECOVERY IS A PROGRAM/JOURNEY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of Al-Anon?